Today's online culture makes it easy for business leaders or famed technologists to get publicity. Unfortunately, though, even smart people sometimes say dumb things.

Given how often high-profile executives are expected to make public comments with speeches, press conferences and social media, blunders are inevitable. And it's harder to escape notice with social media providing a 24-hour supply of critics ready to pounce immediately and preserve the missteps for posterity.

In 2014, there were plenty of examples -- and yes, Uber seemed to be trying to stuff the ballot box with its executives' privacy missteps. As CNET reflects back on 2014, though, we're not just focusing on the negative here. Forthwith are some of the best, worst and most provocative quotes from the year.